The Twelve Spies and the Giants of Canaan: Faith vs. Fear

Bible Believing Christian
Sep 16
3 min read

The Twelve Spies and the Giants of Canaan: Faith vs. Fear

God had led Israel out of Egypt, fed them with manna, and guided them with cloud and fire. Now the moment of decision arrives: enter the Promised Land. Numbers 13 tells how twelve scouts explored Canaan. All saw the same land, but their hearts told different stories—ten fueled fear; two inspired faith. This turning point still speaks to believers facing daunting challenges today.

Biblical Foundation

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send one man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.’” (Numbers 13:1–2 NASB)

The scouts returned after forty days:

“We went into the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and indeed, we saw the descendants of Anak there.” (Numbers 13:27–28)

Caleb silenced the people:

“We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will certainly prevail over it.” (Numbers 13:30)

But ten of the spies spread fear:

“We are not able to go up against the people, because they are too strong for us… and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:31, 33)

Historical & Contextual Notes

Anakim and Giants: The “descendants of Anak” were known for great height and fortified cities (Deuteronomy 9:2). Their name may connect to ancient warrior clans remembered across Canaan.

Forty days, forty years: The spies’ forty-day mission foreshadowed the forty years Israel would later wander (Numbers 14:34).

Fruit of the land: The massive cluster of grapes (Numbers 13:23) symbolized abundance and confirmed God’s promise.

Misconceptions / Objections

“Giants made obedience impossible.”

God had already pledged victory. The real obstacle was unbelief, not size.

“Majority opinion is safest.”

Ten of twelve leaders opposed entering the land, proving that majority consensus can still be dead wrong.

“Fear is neutral.”Fear is not harmless when it contradicts God’s command. It becomes rebellion (Numbers 14:9).

Theological Reflection

Faith and fear are not equal options; they are opposing masters. The Hebrew word for “trust,” בָּטַח (batach), means to rely with confidence. Caleb and Joshua practiced batach, seeing giants through the lens of God’s power, while the others saw God through the lens of giants.

Connection to Christ

Living by Faith: Hebrews 3:16–19 recalls this very event as a warning not to harden our hearts.

Christ Our Joshua: The name Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua. Just as Joshua led Israel into Canaan, Jesus leads His people into the ultimate rest (Hebrews 4:8–11).

Victory Over Giants: Our enemies—sin, death, and Satan—are far greater than Canaan’s Anakim, yet Christ has overcome them (Colossians 2:15).

Christ-Centered Conclusion

The story of the twelve spies teaches that the difference between victory and defeat is not the size of our giants but the strength of our trust. Faith sees God’s promises as bigger than today’s obstacles. Fear exaggerates giants and shrinks God. In Jesus, we are called to cross over, not shrink back.